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Amanda's Story: Fitness for All

Amanda lives in Downtown St. Paul and was spending almost an entire day traveling to the Courage Center for her work-out and therapy session for her cerebral palsy. Individuals with cerebral palsy can suffer from symptoms including decreased muscle coordination, spasticity and tremors. Physical activity benefits adults with cerebral palsy and can significantly improve their quality of life.

Amanda’s mother, Suzanne, is a member of the St. Paul Downtown YMCA and decided to call the Y to see if they could help provide a place for Amanda to stretch and workout on her NuStep®--which was generously donated for Amanda. The NuStep® is a feasible and safe mode of physical activity for significantly motor-impaired adults with cerebral palsy.

The accessibility that the St. Paul Downtown YMCA provided for Amanda has allowed her to expand her work-out and therapy sessions to twice a week instead of once. Amanda is able to work-out on her NuStep® as well as receive personal training for 30 minutes which allows her to stretch and manipulate her joints. Since Amanda’s time at the Y, she has been able to use her walker more regularly, stand straighter, improve her stride and create new relationships that encourage and inspire.